Panthers pound Tampa Bay for franchise-record eighth win in a row

Published: Monday, December 2, 2013 at 12:40 AM.

Glennon was without a touchdown pass for the first time as a starter. He had thrown at least one touchdown passes in his first eight starts, setting a record for NFL rookies.

The Panthers took their first lead with 6:08 left in the first quarter. Newton’s 56-yard run set up a 16-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Brandon LeFell two plays later.

The Buccaneers (3-9) scored first, settling for kicker Rian Lindell’s 27-yard field goal on its opening possession. They added Lindell’s 53-yarder later in the first quarter after safety Keith Tandy’s interception of Newton.

Trailing 7-6, Tampa Bay was poised to regain the lead early in the second quarter, reaching the Carolina 4. But on third down, Glennon lost the handle on the ball while scrambling, with defensive tackle Dwan Edwards recovering a fumble. Glennon wasn’t hit on the play.

CHARLOTTE — Quarterback Cam Newton threw two touchdown passes and scored on a fourth-down run as the Carolina Panthers won their franchise-record eighth game in a row, stifling the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 27-6 on Sunday afternoon at Bank of America Stadium.

Carolina’s defense made it difficult on rookie quarterback Mike Glennon as Tampa Bay’s three-game winning streak came to an end.

The Panthers (9-3) pulled within a half-game of the New Orleans Saints, who play tonight at Seattle, in the NFC South. The Panthers and Saints will meet next week at New Orleans and Dec. 22 in Charlotte.

“We can talk about it now,” Panthers cornerback Captain Munnerlyn said of the matchup with the Saints.

Newton was intercepted twice, but he made enough other big plays to make up for those wayward throws. He completed 18 of 29 passes for 263 yards and also was the game’s top rusher with 68 yards.

Carolina held an opponent without a touchdown for the second time in a four-game span.

Glennon, playing in the state for the first time as a pro after a college career with North Carolina State, was rushed several times as he sought open receivers. He connected on 14 of 21 attempts for 180 yards, but he was sacked five times.

Glennon was without a touchdown pass for the first time as a starter. He had thrown at least one touchdown passes in his first eight starts, setting a record for NFL rookies.

The Panthers took their first lead with 6:08 left in the first quarter. Newton’s 56-yard run set up a 16-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Brandon LeFell two plays later.

The Buccaneers (3-9) scored first, settling for kicker Rian Lindell’s 27-yard field goal on its opening possession. They added Lindell’s 53-yarder later in the first quarter after safety Keith Tandy’s interception of Newton.

Trailing 7-6, Tampa Bay was poised to regain the lead early in the second quarter, reaching the Carolina 4. But on third down, Glennon lost the handle on the ball while scrambling, with defensive tackle Dwan Edwards recovering a fumble. Glennon wasn’t hit on the play.

The Panthers made it 17-6 on Newton’s 1-yard, fourth-down leap with 25 seconds left in the first half. Newton’s 30-yard screen pass to tight end Greg Olsen was the drive’s big play.

Tampa Bay’s first possession of the second half ended with safety Mike Mitchell’s interception.

Olsen’s 28-yard pickup with a catch came a play before Newton’s 36-yard touchdown strike to Ted Ginn Jr. The Panthers led 24-6 with 10:50 remaining in the third quarter.

Carolina 27, Tampa Bay 6

Why Carolina won:The Panthers held Tampa Bay to 206 yards of total offense to complete a season sweep of the NFC South rival.

Turning point: The Buccaneers were poised to go ahead in the second quarter, reaching the Carolina 4-yard line. Quarterback Mike Glennon lost his grip on the ball without being hit and defensive tackle Dwan Edwards recovered the fumble.

Key statistic: Tampa Bay was 1-for-10 on third-down conversions.

Notable quote: “If we can pick each other up when something good or bad happens, that is great. That to me is a sign of being a football team when somebody isn’t playing well or one side isn’t playing well.” — Carolina coach Ron Rivera, whose team was unfazed by giveaways with two interceptions.